While not wearing a helmet is one factor, there's much more than meets the eye with these frightening statistics.

So far in 2017, there have been more motorcycle-related deaths than automobile-related, and what's so disturbing is how fast that number climbed. There were zero motorcycle fatalities in 2016, four in 2015, and two the two years prior to that. 10 months into 2017 and we've seen 8 people die in motorcycle crashes in Boise.

Why? What's causing Idaho riders to perish in record numbers? Sgt. Tom Fleming from Boise PD's Motorcycle Unit explains:

For the most part, we can contribute it to a few things. Usually it’s the rider themselves not following the rules of the road like speeding, running red lights or stop signs, and then quite honestly we hear it all the time, but not wearing a helmet. People are out riding earlier and later, we do unfortunately have alcohol involved with riders and drivers of other vehicles, so it does make it a little deadlier in terms of the number of people that are out at that time traveling.

The obvious question is...what can we do? How to we protect the lives of riders in Boise? Sgt. Fleming has some pretty straight forward advice:

  • Follow the rules of the road
  • Ride the speed limit
  • Wear a helmet (even though it's not legally required)
  • Take a safety class

This author has to echo Sgt. Fleming's statement here: Wear a helmet. As a fellow rider, you'll never find me on a motorcycle without a helmet on. You don't look cool without one, you aren't being edgy, and you can probably save your life if you protect yourself.

Seriously. Wear a helmet. Don't be that rider.

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